Designed to inform policy leaders and opinion shapers, develop the capacity of next generation leaders, foster dialogue and cooperation on cutting-edge issues, and/or facilitate the exchange of ideas through educational exchanges, National Committee programs engage leading citizens in both the United States and China. While some programs select participants through an application process, most are not open to the general public.
The Public Intellectuals Program (PIP), launched by the National Committee in 2005, is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of China specialists who, in the tradition of earlier China hands, have the interest and potential to venture outside of academia to engage with the public and policy communities.
In 2019, the National Committee established a new Track II dialogue between the United States and China to discuss issues relating to the digital economy, in partnership with the Guanchao Cyber Forum, a division of Chinese Internet Security Conference. The dialogue focuses on changes affecting corporations doing business globally and on finding ways that American and Chinese companies can cooperate to address these concerns.
CHINA Town Hall connects leading China experts with Americans around the country for a national conversation on the implications of China’s rise on U.S.-China relations and its impact on our towns, states, and nation. The National Committee is proud to partner with a range of institutions and community groups, colleges and universities, trade and business associations, and world affairs councils to bring this important national conversation to local communities around America for the 14th consecutive year.
The National Committee's first benefactor was John D. Rockefeller III. In 1966, he gave a personal gift of $20,000. Later that year the Rockefeller Brothers Fund pledged $300,000 over three years. This early Rockefeller association lent critical legitimacy — and prestige — to our fledgling organization.